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PATH TO SFC1 FINAL: Ballymun Kickhams
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, PARNELL PARK
DUBLIN SFC1 SEMI-FINAL
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 1-18 KILMACUD CROKES 2-12
The pulsating duel ebbed and flowed throughout at Parnell Park with both sides enjoying short periods of dominance before Kickhams came from behind just after the second half water break to run out two-point winners.
The tempo was high with Ballymun looking the more prominent in the decisive concluding passage to earn their victory.
Ballymun started on the front foot to lead 0-5 to 0-1 by the water break. However, Evan Comerford had denied Paul Mannion from the penalty spot in the fifth minute.
Kickhams looked sharp with Dean Rock, Paddy Small (twice), Cameron McCormack and Carl Deely on target with Paul Mannion the sole Crokes scorer.
A brilliantly taken Dan O'Brien goal sparked the Stillorgan side to life in the 18th minute with scores from Dara Mullin (free), two from Paul Mannion (one free) and Hugh Kenny gave Crokes a 1-5 to 0-5 lead by the 25th minute.
Typical of the contest Ballymun lifted their game and points form Paddy Small, a 35-metre free, Dean Rock, following a powerful from Paddy Small, and Cameron McCormack after combining with Brian Ashton had the sides level.
Before the interval Dean Rock had a penalty chance, after James McCarthy was fouled, but his effort ricocheted off keeper Conor Ferris' leg for a point and then a minute later won a mark, from an accurate pass from Davey Byrne, which he clipped over to lead 0-10 to 1-6 at half-time.
It didn't relent in the second half as the best of Dublin club football showcased their talent with John Small, following good work by his younger brother Paddy, firing over.
Crokes replied with points from Dara Mullin, following a well directed Conor Ferris kickout, and Mullin again with a free after Shane Horan was fouled.
Back game the 'Mun with two Dean Rock points, one a free, before Shane Cunningham and Dara Mullin (mark) responded for Crokes - level again 0-13 to 1-10. Rock top-scored for Kickhams with 0-8 (0-3f, 0-1pen, 0-1mark).
A fine Jason Whelan point, who was introduced as a 37th minute sub, had Kickhams one point clear as the sides entered their second half water interval. Whelan was just one of Ballymun's subs who made a positive impact down the home straight as they scored 1-3 off the bench.
Again Crokes surged back with scores from Dara Mullin (free), following a foul on Conor Kinsella, and Hugh Kenny (mark) after fielding low and bravely from a Paul Mannion pass.
Crokes were now one point up, 1-12 to 0-14, as the game entered the last six minutes of normal time - but with plenty of drama still remaining.
Dean Rock converted a free, brought forward, after a foul on John Small, Jason Whelan fired over and fellow sub Dillon Keating had the distance and accuracy from 40 metres out as Kickhams made the move for victory.
As the game ticked into added time sub Cathal O'Tighe applied the finishing touch to the net after another sub Andrew McCaul's goal attempt was parried across the face of the goal.
The 'Mun were five points clear, 1-17 to 1-12, but soon down to 13 men after Davey Byrne and Leon Young were dismissed.
Former Dublin and Clare senior, Pat Burke, had been introduced by Crokes and had a goal attempt cleared off the line by Eoin Dolan in the 67th as Crokes tried valiantly to rescue the game.
A minute later he skilfully turned a low delivery from Paul Mannion into the net to make it a two-point game.
But that was as close as they got with Dean Rock putting over a late, late free to book the final berth against the reigning champions Ballyboden St Enda's.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, PARNELL PARK
DUBLIN SFC1 QUARTER-FINAL
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 1-18 NA FIANNA 2-13
A much improved second-half showing saw Ballymun Kickhams secure victory in this Dublin SFC1 quarter-final at Parnell Park.
The Mun trailed by five points at the half-time interval (0-8 to 1-10) but kicked six points on the spin on the restart.
Led by the likes of James McCarthy, John Small and Cameron McCormack Kickhams took control of the game with McCarthy’s point in the opening minute of the second-half a signal of intent.
Dean Rock, who tallied 0-8 (0-5f) overall, converted three frees to cut the gap to a point before a stylish point by Jason Whelan brought the sides level following hard graft by Carl Keely and Fiach Andrews.
An Andrew McCaul mark edged Ballymun in front before an Aaron Byrne free, following a foul on Conor McHugh, had the sides level once again, 0-14 to 1-11.
A great strike from Dean Rock, his fourth of the second half (including three frees), put the Mun ahead at the water-break.
Two crucial moments occurred just after. Firstly, Na Fianna through Conor McHugh missed a potential goal scoring opportunity while at the other end a ball from Cameron McCormack put sub Andrew McCaul through one-on-one with Stephen Murray and he finished coolly to the net.
Na Fianna, who lost Jonny Cooper to a black card late on, battled to the finish with Evan Comerford denying David Lacey from close range.
Well into added time Niall Cooper did find the Kickhams net but it was a consolation score as Ballymun moved into the semi-final.
Na Fianna were five up at the break, 1-10 to 0-8, with Conor McHugh’s 30th minute goal the big score of the opening half.
The St Mobhi Road men enjoyed a prosperous spell either side of the water-break when they kicked four points without reply to lead 0-8 to 0-6 after 24 minutes.
An Aaron Byrne free, following a foul Eoin O’Dea, was followed up with scores from Gus Farrell, his second of the half, Conor McHugh and a stylish effort from the influential James Doran.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, PARNELL PARK
DUBLIN SFC1 GROUP 1 ROUND 3
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 3-15 THOMAS DAVIS 0-8
A powerful second half saw Ballymun Kickhams cruise into the Dublin SFC1 quarter-finals with this 16-point Group 1 victory over Thomas Davis at Parnell Park.
Kickhams led by two at half-time but outscored Davis’ 2-10 to 0-2 in the second period with the hard-working Davy Keogh, the Dublin senior hurler, getting both scores for the Kiltipper Road side.
Points early in the second-half from Fiach Andrews and James McCarthy extended Ballymun’s advantage before Brian Ashton struck for goal.
The former Irish underage basketball international won a kickout from Evan Comerford and ended up at the end of a move when sweeping the ball to the net after Dean Rock had his overhead fisted effort, from a high delivery by Carl Keeley, saved by keeper Rob Crilly.
Around the 50th minute marker Paddy Small kicked three superb points as Ballymun moved out of sight and could afford to introduce subs off the bench.
None made a greater impact than Dillon Keating who brought energy to the Kickhams attack as well as scoring 1-1, steering a low shot to the net six minutes into added time.
There were second-half goal opportunities at both ends. In the 52nd minute half-time sub, Dublin U20 football selector Ciarán Farrelly, angled narrowly wide while within two minutes Davis' keeper Rob Crilly first denied Dillon Keating and then Andrew McCaul's effort was stopped on the rebound.
From the starting whistle Ballymun got the ideal with a James McCarthy goal inside the opening minute on their way to leading 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time.
A good run and release by Cameron McCormack saw McCarthy break through on goal and power to the roof of Rob Crilly’s net.
Dean Rock, who slotted 0-7 (0-5f) overall, kicked the first of five first-half points (three frees) before Eoin Kirby converted a free to settle Davis.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, LUSK
DUBLIN SFC1 GROUP 1 ROUND 2
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 3-26 ROUND TOWERS LUSK 1-10
Dean Rock and Paddy Small kicked 2-11 between them in the opening half on the way to Ballymun Kickhams' 19-point victory away against Round Towers, Lusk.
The 'Mun were out of sight by half-time when leading by 16 points, 3-13 to 0-6.
Cameron McCormack did well at midfield for the victors while Lusk relied heavily on Cormac Howley for scores.
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SUNDAY, JULY 25, PAIRC CICEAM
DUBLIN SFC1 GROUP 1 ROUND 1
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 3-18 SKERRIES HARPS 0-12
Dean Rock and Paddy Small led the way for Ballymun Kickhams in their 15-point Group1 victory over Skerries Harps in Páirc Ciceam.
The Dublin senior duo scored an impressive 2-13 between them as the Mun got off to a commanding opening to their campaign.
Former Dublin minor and U21 Harry Dawson made his return following a long injury-enforced lay-off for Skerries Harps and slotted two points.
